Family home badly damaged in New Year's Eve blaze

An electrical fault is thought to have been responsible for the blaze at their home in Cockshutt, near Ellesmere, in the early hours of Monday.

Now friends have started a fundraising appeal to help them replace their daughters' clothes and other possessions.

Kate and Lewis Hilliard and their daughters Felicity, 13 and seven-year-old Evie are now living with family after first floor of the house was severely damage and the rest of the home affected by the smoke.

The children's bedrooms were the worst affected.

They had been out celebrating New Year's Eve with family and friends.

Jon Fell, a family friend, has launched a Go Fund Me page on social media:.gofundme.com/hilliard-family-house-fire to help them.

"They have lost everything but are thankfully safe," he said.

"No one was home when the fire started but the damage is major throughout the property.

"The local community has already been fantastic in some clothes and items for the family but donations would go a long way to ensuring Kate and her family can get back on their feet as soon as possible. We would really appreciate your help.

"Kate and her family are currently staying with her parents but you can imagine the situation is not ideal so please donate if you are able. Thank you very much."

He said the communities of Cockshutt and Baschurch had been fantastic donating clothes and other items for the family.

He said his aim was to help replace the two girls' possessions.

"They will need clothes to return to school in for instance.

"It could take some time to sort all the insurance out and donations would go a long way to ensure Kate and her family can get back on their feet as soon as possible."

In the first 12 hours of the page being set up supporters donated £700.